GP firm billing for services despite patients paying €1k membership fee

Patients who paid €1,000 for 10-year membership to a GP service — on the understanding the fee covered all the costs — are now being billed for blood tests, annual flu vaccinations, sick notes, and prescriptions.

Angry customers of GP Now, whose Cork service went belly-up in 2014, owing €155,000 to creditors, have contacted the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission which is now seeking clarification from the company.

The commission has confirmed it was “aware of issues relating to GP Now from the 23 contacts we have received this year” and that it was “continuing to monitor the situation and has sought clarification”. It declined to comment further on the basis that it was “an ongoing issue”.